The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1887-07-02
CRAIG TOLLIVER'S END.

CRAIG TOLLIVER'S END.
THE DESPERADO AND THREE
OF HIS GANG SHOT DOWN
IN THEIR TRACKS.
Pitched battle in the Streets.
Dark and bloody Record OF a Gang
of Iawle.s Men.
LEXINGTON, KY, June %, 1887 =
The respectable people of Rowan coun-
ty to-day arose in arms and completely
exterminated the Tolliver faction that
had for three years held in subjection
the entire community and were law
unto themselves.
DIR Logan, whose two sons were the
latest victims of the Tolliver gang, was
released from prison last week, an Or
der Tor his pardon having been signed
by the governor. He Immediately lett
for Cincinnati, where party of regu-
lators joined him last Saturday and re-
turned with him on Monday after Sc
curing large supply OF ammunition.
They kept quiet until last evening, or,
rather, early this morning. when the
cold, gray dawn discovered body Of
one hundred and fifty men gathered
just outside the town.
DETERMINED BODY.
Waiting until nearly eight O'Clock
thev marched down, each armed with
Winchester rifle. Faces familiar to
Morehead citizens could be seen, but a
great many were from Fleming and
surrounding counties. News of their
approach had already reached the Toll
livers, and Craig Tolliver, his three
cousins-Bud, Andy and Jay Tolliver-
and Harvey Cooper prepared for the
approaching crowd, but they were not
aware OF it's number. In the front rank
stalked Dr. Logan, who was there to
avenge the murder of his sons, aud by
his side marched others who had sut-
fered injury after injury from the hands
of the monsters they were now pro-
ceediug against. They had warrants
for the arrest of the gang, but this was
a mere matter of form. They had come
to exterminate them, and their enemy
expected no mercy.
THE BATTLE BEGINS.
As they came down toward the town
the TOlliver crowd appeared, and vol
| ley after volley was exchanged, but
without effect and after half an hours
hot work the Toliivers retired to the
Central Hotel, building which Craig
Tolliver had confiscated to his own use,
ejectiny the rightful proprietor, a man
named Powers. Barring the doors they
ran to the upstairs windows and made
what defense they could their assailants
pouring volley after volley into the
hotel through the windows and piercing
the thin board walls of the building.
No shots had as yet taken effect. The
TOllivers could not fire with accuracy,
for volley greeted them every mo-
ment through the wall and the now de-
moiished windows.
THE ToLLIvERs SLAIN.
Hastily unbarring the rear door Craig
and Andy Tolliver made a desperate
effort to escape to the woods, but they
we're hardly outside when they were
discovered and volley sent after them
before they had reached one hundred
yards distance. Andy hesitated mo-
lnemt as though wounded, and then
bounded away again, reaching the
woods in safety, but Craig Tolliver
stopping, threw up his hands wildly
and then fell heavily to the ground,
with his breast and back pierced with
bullets. The firing shortly afterward
ceased from the hotel. and few min
ntes later Jay Tolliver attempted his
escape, but he was instantly discovered
and killed, the bullets striking him in
the head, and spaltering his brains in
every direction.
Three were now disposed of, and the
posse rushed forward to the house to
complete their work but no one was
found until alter some search, Harvey
Cooper was discovered and pulled out
from his hiding place. a gun put to his
head and his brains blown out. No
trace of the others could be found in
the hotel, but diligenI search through
the long grass and shrubbery revealed
Bad Tolliver and short work was made
of him. The other participate in the
fight escaped. James Manning, Bump
Manning, Boone Day and others fed
before the hotel was surrounded, Cayt
Tolliver, boy OF sixteen, fought " ith
desperation and used his pistol freely,
but the posse allowed him to go free.
Figilant search was made for the others,
but so far without effect, all escaping
to the woods. Parts of the posse are
still in pursuit.
AFTER THE CARNAGE.
After the smoke Of the battle had
cleared away the bodies of the four
desperadOes were carried to the hotel
and laid side by side, their bodies still
bleeding from the many wounds and
The sight was repulsive and sickening,
htIf 10 mo- Sfrhn I.,f
the bodies were viewed. Peace had
been bought, and this time bought with
but little hurt to the posse, only one be-
ing wounded, Bndd Madden, but how
serious his wound is has not been re-
ported
To- night Morehead is under guard
every street and every corner-while
the vigilant sentinels blockade all ap-
proaches to the town. The whisky
shop of Craig Tolliver was entirely de-
molished, the liquids poured out OH the
ground and the furniture and glassware
broken. The reign of terror seems now
over in Rowan county, but it has cost
the state many thousands of dollars and
nineteen lives, including those of the
four miscreants who were killed to-
day.
| ORIGIN OF The FEUD.
Kentucky has been under a cloud for
years, owing to the many disgraceful
factional fights and feuds that have
taken place within her borders, but of
late these have been confined to the
eastern portion OF the state, particular
ly Rowan county. A score of years
ago the notorious Underhill gang ter
rorized that entire section and later the
bloody work they inaugurated was
carried Oh by few members of the
Old gang, reinforced by the addition OF
some new members, who were, if pos
sible, hotter blooded. A simple quar-
rel was the signal tor blOodshed, and
time and again the civilized world was
shocked at some new and atrocious
murder, the outcome of trifiing dis
agreement.
1t was in August, 1854, that the pres.
ent feud began over the election for
sheriff, in which Cook Humphreys, re-
publican, was elected over Sam Good
win, democrat, by forty-seven votes.
The fight was hard and bitter, and in
the evening it eliminated in hand to
hand battle. Pistols were drawn and
shots freely exchanged by The parties
Concerned, the chief among them be-
ing the now eX-Sheriff John Day,
while the others were Floyd Tolliver,
Solomon Bradley and Win. Sizemore.
Bradley fell dead with a bullat throuuh